Buzz
It can drive you crazy trying to figure out why cats act the way they do. Why do they ask for affection, only to turn it into a display of claws and teeth? Why do they love hanging out in sinks? What’s with their fear of cucumbers? And why, in a strange twist, do they greet their humans with a head bump, like an interspecies fist bump?
This particular behavior has a straightforward explanation. Cats have scent glands on their foreheads that release pheromones. Since they use these scents to identify friendly beings, when a cat bumps its head against yours, they’re sharing those pheromones with you, essentially welcoming you into their circle.
The act is known as “head bunting,” not headbutting, and it’s usually reserved for the leaders within a cat colony. Cats might also bun your leg or arm as part of this ritual.
While it might seem like a cat is marking you as its territory, it’s actually a sign of affection. Cats typically bunt only when they feel a bond with you. You can return the gesture by either bunting back or petting them.
Remember, a bunt is different from a cat simply resting its head on you. The latter may indicate discomfort and could be a signal to take them to the vet.
